To counter Trumpism progressive organizers and organizations need to expose the ideologies behind the Trump campaign, but also in “mainstream” US society.

White Nationalism

Christian Nationalism

Greedster Market Economics

Hetero-Patriarchy & Misogyny

Rugged Individualism

Aggressive Militarism

Planetary Resource Exploitation

(developed by Chip Berlet and Alex DiBranco for a forthcoming study)

What is Democracy?

Democracy is a process,
not a specific set of institutions

Democracy is a process that assumes
the majority of people, over time,
-given enough accurate information,
-an education that inspires curiosity,
-access to free, open, public debates,
-and can vote without intimidation,
reach constructive decisions
that benefit the whole of society, and
-preserve liberty,
-protect our freedoms,
-extend equality, and
-defend democracy itself.

Systems of Oppression in the United States that are Fueled by Prejudice

Prejudice
+ Power
------------------
= Oppression

This simple formula
allows us to discuss interrelated
"Systems of Oppression" and explore the intesectionality that keeps us apart but could unite us into a powerful movement for justice, democracy, and human rights.

Strategic Rhetoric

Avoid "Extremism" Replace with (The Target) and (The Act or Methodology)
---Examples: Racist Terror, Sexist Rhetoric, Islamophobic Articles, Antisemitic Posts. Homophobic Assault, Stigmatizing the Disabled, Stereotyping Mexicans
---WHY? "Extremism" is a term used to deligitimize any ideas outside the political Center; and to suggest systems of oppression are something we all do not need to confront.

Avoid "Hate Crimes" Replace with "Bias Crimes" or "Ethnoviolence."
---WHY? Because most of us tend to think those people that "hate" are not like us, and so we do not confront our own--often unconscious--complicity in exisiting systems of oppression.

Avoid "Violent Radicalization"
---WHY?
"Radicalization" deals with the relative position of ideas and ideologies while "Violence" is an act. Thus the term "Violent Radicalization" undermines First Amendment guarantees of free speech, and masks the wave of surevellance and political repression being carried out by US government authorities.

Definitions for Progressives < under construction

Note: Links to specific edits of Wikipedia pages listed here have passed a cursory check on being sensible, but always be careful to verify information

What is Fascism?
Best definition: Roger Griffin, "[F]ascism is best defined as a revolutionary form of nationalism, one that sets out to be a political, social and ethical revolution, welding the ‘people’ into a dynamic national community under new elites infused with heroic values. The core myth that inspires this project is that only a populist, trans-class movement of purifying, cathartic national rebirth (palingenesis) can stem the tide of decadence.

See also on this Wikipedia page on Definitions of Fascism:Reliable definitions of fascism for progressives: Robert Paxton, Umberto Eco, Emilo Gentile.Common right-wing or economic libertarian definitions of fascism: Friedrich August von Hayek, John T. Flynn, Linda & Morris TannehillDefinitions by Ultra-Right or Fascist ideologues: Benito MussoliniIdiocentric definitions: Charles Maurras

What is Right-Wing Populism?
Right-wing populist movements are ...a repressive populist movement motivated or defined centrally by a backlash against liberation movements, social reform, or revolution. This does not mean that right-wing populism’s goals are only defensive or reactive, but rather that its growth is fueled in a central way by fears of the Left and its political gains.
by Chip Berlet and Matthew N. Lyons

How do Right-Wing Populism and Fascism Interact?

What is White Nationalism?
"White Nationalism is an ideology and system of power that constrains our activities in the United States in ways that range from subtle to blatant. White Nationalism is extolled by organized supremacist groups and armed insurgents, but also by major media figures and political leaders."
by Chip Berlet